Tenax Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: TENX) today announced plans to advance
the development of levosimendan for the treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension
associated with Heart Failure and preserved Ejection
Fraction (PH-HFpEF). PH-HFpEF is a common condition with a
poor outcome (5 year survival less than 50%). Given that no therapies
are approved to treat an estimated 1.5 million patients who suffer from
this condition, it represents a disease with high unmet medical need.
Tenax plans to initiate a Phase 2 trial in PH-HFpEF patients in the
early part of the third quarter of 2018.

Based on strong feedback from multiple experts in the field of PH-HFpEF,
Tenax believes that PH-HFpEF represents a very attractive area for
Levosimendan clinical development. Several compelling reasons to pursue
development in pulmonary hypertension include:

Efficient Clinical Development Plan - A single Phase 2 trial
designed to establish the benefits of levosimendan in PH-HFpEF patients

A group of globally recognized pulmonary hypertension and HFpEF experts
have helped advise Tenax on this new development opportunity. One of
Tenax’s advisors, Stuart Rich, MD, Director of the Pulmonary Vascular
Disease Program at the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute stated, “PH-HFpEF
is a serious public health problem that is becoming a common cause of
pulmonary hypertension for which there are no effective treatments. The
novel mechanisms of action of Levosimendan, supported by published data
from trials in pulmonary hypertension, as well as left and right
ventricular failure, provide a strong rationale for the development of
Levosimendan in PH-HFpEF.” Michael Jebsen, Interim CEO of Tenax
Therapeutics said, “We are very appreciative of the advice and expertise
that Dr. Rich and our other clinical advisors have provided us regarding
this new opportunity. Our advisors’ strong support for this development
plan, combined with the significant commercial value that it could
represent, makes us very excited to execute this new clinical
development strategy.”

A pre-IND Meeting is scheduled with FDA to discuss development of
levosimendan in PH-HFpEF in the coming months. In parallel, the Company
will continue to work with its advisors to initiate the Phase 2 clinical
trial in the third quarter of 2018.

About Levosimendan

Levosimendan is a calcium sensitizer that works through a unique triple
mechanism of action. It initially was developed for intravenous use in
hospitalized patients with acutely decompensated heart failure. It was
discovered and developed by Orion Pharma, Orion Corporation of Espoo
Finland, and is currently approved in over 60 countries for this
indication and not available in the United States. Tenax Therapeutics
acquired the North American rights to develop and commercialize
levosimendan from Phyxius Pharma, Inc.

About Tenax Therapeutics

Tenax Therapeutics, Inc., is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused
on licensing, development, and commercialization of drugs that address
conditions with high unmet medical need. The Company has a world-class
scientific team including recognized global experts in pulmonary
hypertension. The Company owns the North American rights to develop and
commercialize Levosimendan. For more information, visit www.tenaxthera.com.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements by the
company that involve risks and uncertainties and reflect the company’s
judgment as of the date of this release. The forward-looking statements
are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not
limited to matters beyond the company's control that could lead to
delays in the clinical study, delays in new product introductions and
customer acceptance of these new products, and other risks and
uncertainties as described in the company’s filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, including in its annual report on Form 10-K
filed on March 16, 2017, its quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed on
November 9, 2017 as well as its other filings with the SEC. The company
disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking
statements beyond the date of this release. Statements in this press
release regarding management’s future expectations, beliefs, goals,
plans or prospects constitute forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.